Mrs. Solayo Adijat, a farmer at Sotan village in Yewa North Local Government of Ogun State has recounted how herdsmen attack on her farmland has rendered her jobless.
The 39-year-old widow made this known during a panel section at the “Secureourlives” Campaign cohort with 100women Lobby Groups to fight against insecurity in Nigeria.
Pained by the incident, she hereby called on the Federal Government to give utmost priority to security in order to prevent the lives of its citizens in the country.
She further explained the difficulties faced by famers from the herdsmen. “The problem is that the herdsmen are too many in our area, we labour without harvesting because they feed their cows with our farm seed.
“Whenever we try to stop them, they chase us with cutlass What do you expect us women to do, we run for our lives, I am a widow for over ten years with four kids, and it is this farming that I know how to do.
“They have turn me to a jobless person, I have to fetch for waterleaf to sell before bringing food to the table to eat with my children.”
However, the Ogun State Coordinator of 100women Lobby Group, Professor Olubunmi Ashimolowo stated that the campaign mission was to put women in forefront in fighting criminality and improving public safety by reforming community policing across the country.
She said: “The campaign was sprung up because of the high level of the insecurities in the country and it is a collective effort that is done in Nigeria, and we as women we are saying no to insecurity in Nigeria.
“Because violence is on the increase, schools are closing down, communities are being rendered incapacitated, police force is overwhelmed.
“The system is not working persay, when I say the system, I mean things are not working in terms of security in Nigeria, so, as women, we feel it time to come out to lend our voices out for collective actions.”
Speaking at the event, Mrs Veronica Shorounke, representing the wife of the State Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun pledged her support to the campaign, stating that she will always be supportive to the great work that the “Saveourlives” and 100women lobby Group are doing.
“I’m glad about the “Secureourlives campaign and as, I said earlier in the year, a robust approach to information, education, and communication on issues relating to violence and promotion of peace are needed across country.
“Providing a safe space where our people, no matter how young or old, can come forward and speak up without fear, if they are experiencing any form of violence is the first step to recovery, and hopefully to a future free of violence.
“Drawing attention of government and those in authority is then the next step; and after that, continuing to apply pressure until we begin to see changes. These are some of the things we must do to sustain this campaign and I am happy to see this as part of your plans.
“People need to, not only know that “secureourlives exists, but they can join and support the campaign. Informational programs should be extended to the entire community and people should be encouraged to speak for peace.
“We should take our message to the traditional and religious institution, the schools and the social gathering. This is the only way we can ensure that we witness the change that we so desperately need today,” she said.
Also, the state Commissioner for Police, CP Edward Ajogun said the command’s tactical team is working tirelessly with the stakeholders to drastically reduce the issue of insecurity in the state.
CP Ajogun represented by the command Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abimbola Abdulmajeed Oyeyemi urged the victim to be bold enough in reporting any inconveniences faced on their farm.
The Commissioner for women affairs, Mrs. Funmilayo Efuape represented by Mrs Wonuola Kazeem advised women to stand for each other to safeguard their lives.
Moreover, other victims present at the event included Popoola Lekan (JP), Peti Bella and Alani Oguntoyinbo narrated their encounter with herdsmen in their various areas.
Other groups cohorts in the fight were: Gender Development Initiative (GENDI), Priceless Jewel Foundation (PJF), Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ); (NSCDC); Health Reformed Foundation (HERFON); Women Advocacy Against HIV and AIDS and others Diseases (WAHPOD); Society for Personality and Sexual Psychology (SPSP), among others.
